The Latest Hall of Leaders

Outstanding Alumni

Roger Gafke

• Currently serves as Director of Program Development for the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute and is Professor Emeritus at the MU School of Journalism
• Expanded the international programs and relationships for the School of Journalism: Provided training programs in Doha, Qatar; faculty advisor for the International School of Media and Entertainment Studies in Delhi, India; coordinator for international journalists in a fellowship program at MU
• Served as MU Vice Chancellor for Development, University, and Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Created videos and web-based training programs, a commercial web site and an award-winning web and e-mail solicitation project
• Wrote a history of the CPS District, published by the district in 1978
• Founding board member of Columbia Public Schools Foundation

Paul W. Ladenson

• Currently Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; John Eager Howard Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism; Director – Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism; Professor, Department of Medicine - Endocrinology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Recognized as one of a handful of worldwide experts in endocrinology and metabolism and is sought after for consultation by practitioners and experts worldwide
• Continues clinical patient treatment on a daily basis serving the very top leaders in our country as well as the very poorest and sickest
• Lectures frequently on the most current and complicated aspects of the thyroid – his major area of expertise
• Authored or co-authored many books and articles, some of which are the standards of medical schools and practitioners
• Graduate of Oxford University and Harvard Medical School

Joe Moseley

• Currently Vice President, Public Affairs, Shelter Insurance Companies
• Serves as a member of the boards of directors of The Intersection, Columbia Independent School, the Property and Casualty Guaranty Fund and the Missouri Insurance Education Foundation
• Served on numerous boards of directors including Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Advent Enterprises, Rainbow House, Missouri Chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Woodhaven Learning Center, University Hospital Center, and United Way
• Past President of the MU National Alumni Association, Tiger Quarterback Club, Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and Columbia Rotary Club
• Chaired the boards of REDI and the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as well as the Central Missouri Food Bank Capital Campaign, Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, Woodhaven Capital Campaign, Stephens College Capital Campaign, and Multiple Sclerosis Dinner of Champions

Dr. Robert Shamberger

• Currently Chief of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston (the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School) and the Robert E. Gross Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School
• Specialties include inflammatory bowel disease, pediatric general surgery, surgical critical care, surgical oncology and thoracic surgery
• Active in the design and analysis of multi-institutional protocols of neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor and chest wall sarcomas
• Principal investigator – study of the quality of life outcomes of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease including outcomes of various surgical therapies
• Has published over 150 scientific articles and book chapters and is sought as a lecturer
• Graduate of University of Missouri and Harvard Medical School

Retired Educators

Nancy Lewis

• Currently retired and enjoying it!
• Taught or coordinated elementary physical education in CPS from 1963-1990, West Boulevard, Ridgeway, and Russell
• First Elementary Physical Education Coordinator for Columbia Public Schools in 1973
• Developed the CPS Elementary Fourth Grade Swimming Program, which ran from 1974-2003
• Led the revision of the elementary physical education curriculum which provided a balance of individual and team sports
• Incorporated President Kennedy’s Physical Fitness program as a basic part of children’s activities
• Organized and presented in-service workshops for teachers to improve instructional skills and techniques
• Received the Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year, grades 4-6

Judy M. Parsons

• Currently supervises University of Missouri student teachers
• Taught or coordinated social studies in CPS from 1963-2003, West Junior High, Hickman, Oakland Junior High
• Recognized as outstanding educator: Outstanding Junior High Educator, Teacher of the Year, Citation of Merit for Service to Education from University of Missouri Alumni Association, and Citizenship Education Recognition from the Missouri Bar Advisory Committee
• Frequent presenter/speaker at professional workshops and Missouri local events
• Provided leadership for development of a comprehensive social studies curriculum, which is recognized throughout Missouri

Marjorie Spaedy

• Currently retired and enjoying it!
• Served public education for over 30 years including CPS Deputy Superintendent and Co-Superintendent during a period of transition, 1994-2001
• Was the liaison for the University of Missouri Teaching Fellows Program after retiring from CPS
• Directed the Missouri Leadership Academy and coordinated leadership development, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education from 1985-1993
• Designed and implemented a two-day assessment process for candidates seeking school administrator certification as principals and superintendents
• Recognized as an Outstanding MSTA/CTA District Administrator, Distinguished Missouri Educator, and Founding Director – Exceptional Leadership

Barbara Savage

• Currently Director of the Lower School - CIS
• Taught first and second grades, students with learning disabilities and gifted children in CPS from 1971-2002, Fairview, Russell Boulevard, Two Mile Prairie Elementary Schools; Gifted Program; and Summer School Enrichment (Title I)
• Selected as a master teacher to work with other teachers
• Presented workshops for new teachers and professional development for experienced teachers
• Supervised student teachers and Teaching Fellows for CPS
• Taught classroom management for the Teaching Fellows Program at the University of Missouri
• Received the first Ray Lewis Award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year, grades K-3

Volunteers

Elton Fay

• Currently practices law in Columbia and Centralia with Grimes, Fay and Kopp law firm
• Served as a member of the CPS Board of Education from 1994-2006 including serving as vice president and president; emphasized decision-making based on what was considered best for students, teachers, administrators and community
• Championed higher pay for teachers while insisting that the district be fiscally prudent
• Spent thousands of hours as a CPS volunteer in his children’s schools
• Served Missouri Boy’s State for 42 years as a board member, trustee and counselor
• Continues to be an advocate for youth as a sponsor/mentor for Haitian students attending colleges/universities in the United States

LaVonne Mattson

• Currently works weekly in the office at Grant Elementary and in the Hickman High School Guidance office; has also volunteered in the Smithton Elementary office
• Volunteered weekly since 1992 in the schools her two local grandchildren attended providing support for them, their teachers, and classmates
• Was known affectionately as “Ms. Honey” in a first-grade classroom at Grant Elementary
• Recognized regularly in Columbia by a classmate of a grandchild, someone she touched as Ms. Honey or an administrator or teacher whom she helped

Lisa Reed

• Currently enjoying homemaking and volunteering for her church and Kiwanis
• Described as the consummate volunteer in the CPS including Russell Boulevard Elementary, Smithton Middle School, West Junior High, Hickman and Rock Bridge High Schools
• Was instrumental in building a foundation and structure for success for the “For the Love of the Game” dinner and auction which has raised thousands of dollars for Rock Bridge High School athletics
• Provided leadership for PTAs, volunteered in school offices and lunchrooms and supervised playgrounds
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership and organizational skills as banquet and events chair for athletic activities and volunteer assistant athletic director (one year)
• Serves on the district-wide Long Range Planning Committee and the High School Redistricting Committee
• Served on the Columbia Public Schools Foundation Board

Diane Rubenstein

• Currently operates private law practice in Columbia
• Committed to the improvement of many programs within the district, such as raising money to fund the artificial turf at Rock Bridge and improvements to the practice soccer and football fields, baseball/softball complex and weight room
• Described as a visionary with a dynamic, magnetic personality with the ability to convince others to help implement ideas, for example, the “For the Love of the Game” dinner and auction which has raised thousands of dollars for Rock Bridge High School athletics
• Volunteered in every CPS classroom that her children attended
• Served on the Columbia Public Schools Foundation Board and was instrumental in starting the Teacher Recognition Program
• Respected for high energy level, leadership skills, and commitment to CPS